Method of manufacturing electroplates.



f NiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WARREN O. CLOUSE, OF KEARNY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,TO THE CHARLES ORASKE COMPANY.

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTROPLATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 665,954, dated January15, 1901.

Application filed November 14. 1898.

T0 @ZZ whom it may concern.:

Beit known that I, WARREN CHRIVLIAN OLOUSE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Kearny, in the county of Hudson and State ofNew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methodsfor the Manufacture of Electroplates, of which the following isaspecification.

My invention consists of a certain. new and useful method ofmanufacturing electroplates or electrotypes in which the half-toneoriginals or etchings for illustration are combined with electrotypes ofreading matter in the manner hereinafter described. The usual method ofpreparing electrotypes of this description has been as follows: Theelectrotype of reading matter Was first prepared in the wellknown mannerhereinafter described, but having a blank space the size of thehalf-tone to be inserted. The portion covered by the blank space wasthen cut away. The half-tone being much thinner than the electrotype, itwas necessary to back the same with metal to the thickness of theelectrotype. The half-tone after being backed was then fitted to theopening in the electrotype .and soldered in. This process Was long,inconvenient, and expensive, and in spite of the greatest care thehalf-tone would work loose during printing, causing delay in repairingand frequently resulting in injury to the surrounding electrotype.

The object of my invention is to overcome the difculties heretoforeexisting and to produce an electrotype `in which the half-tone and thereading matter will be and remain firm and immovable in one solid piece.Iattain this object by the means illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in Which- Figure l shows the completed electrotype withhalf-tone illustration inserted as made by my improved method. Fig. 2shows a form in cross-section in which the type and half -tone appearlocked in chase. Fig. 3

Serial No. 696,474. (No specimens.)

the line l l of the completed electrotype, as shown in Fig. l.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In Fig. 2 the type a, the half-tone b, face up, and the base or blankblock c, preferably of metal, loosely placed uuderthe half-tone to makeit type-high, are represented as locked together in the chase d. Theback of the half-tone before being placed in the form is indented orstippled for about one-quarter of an inch along each edge, as shown inexaggerated form at g in Fig. 4L, leaving about oneeighth of an inchalong each edge unindented, as shown at h in said figure. The reason forthe stippling will hereinafter appear. being locked in chase the face ofthe half-tone may be covered with a film of pitch or similar substanceto insure its adherence to the mold and to protect the enameled face ofthe half-tone during the subsequent operations, and at the conclusion ofsaid operations it may be removed in any suitable Way. The form is thenblackleaded to cause it to relieve freely from the molding composition.The form is then moldedY in the usual way, as illustrated iu Fig. 3, inwhich e designates the metal plate of the mold-case,with the edgeguardsremoved, and fthe wax or molding composition on said plate, theimpression having been taken from Fig. 2, as shown, the half-tone beingembedded in and adhering to the molding composition, face inward, itsface being protected by the pitch or similar substance above referredto. A stripof wax about one-eighth ofan inch in width, as shown at t' inFig. 4, may then be placed along the edge of the reverse side of thehalf-tone, over the unindented portion h, in order to prevent thedepositing solution from reaching or touching the face thereof and tohold the half-tone firmly in the form during the process ofblackleading. The mold is then thoroughly blackleaded in the usual waypreparatory to being placed in the electrodepositingbath; but beforebeing placed in the bath the exposed back of the half-tone should befreed from black-lead, scraped bright, and preferably a nlm-coating ofWax placed on the back from the indentations inward, as

After IOO ' the mold with the half-tone adherent thereto v shown at 7cin Fig. 4, so as to make that portion non-conducting in the bath. Theentire back of the half-tone could of course be -stppled and depositedupon; but I have found that bythe stippling as hereinbefore describedthe desired security and firmness are obtained. The mold, as described,is then placed in the electrodepositingbath and metal deposited thereonin the usual manner, the metal forming a continuous and unbroken shellover the form and over the edges of the half-tone to the Wax lm in thecenter thereof, as shown at m in Fig. 5, entering into the indentationsin such manner as to form a perfect union between the electrotype andthe half-tone, the two forming practically one plate. If the Wax stript' is used, the deposited metal Will be unattached to the half-tone atthe edges thereof, as shown at n in Fig. 5, as 'L' prevents thedeposited metal from coming into contact with the half-tone, and in thiscase it is not necessary to stipple to the eXtreme edge of thehalf-tone. The said shell and half-tone are then relieved from the mold,the waX on the back of the half-tone being removed by any suitablemeans, such as hot water and lye, and the shell is then ready to receivethe metal backing. The Washing with hot water and lye perfectly cleansesthe back of the half-tone, so that the metal backing may firmly adhereto it. The Whole shell may be acidified in preparation for the metalbacking, which is placed on in the usual way and finished in the samemanner as ordinary electrotypes, the completed electrotype being shownin cross-section in Fig. 5.

By this method I obtain economically and quickly the perfectincorporation of the halftone with an electrotype of reading-matter, asset forth.

What I claim as my invention isl. The method of obtaining an electrotypeincluding a half-tone or etched or engraved plate and an electrotype ofreading matter, which consists in first, locking up in a form of type ablank block of the size of the halftone having the half-tone placedloosely thereon with its face flush with the types; second,

blackleading the type-form; third, obtaining in plastic material placedin contact with said g form and half-tone a mold from the type in y saidform fourth, removing said form from fifth, blackleading the face ofsaid mold but leaving the exposed baclof the halftone free fromblack-lead; sixth, placing the mold containing the embedded half-tone inan electrodepositing-bat-h whereby is produced a metallic deposit overthe mold and the back of the half-tone at the same time, thus insuring aI union. between the metallic deposit 'and the back of the half -tone,substantially as set forth.

2. In the method of obtaining an electrotype including a half-tone oretched or engraved plate and an electrotype of reading matter, theproduction in plastic material of a mold from the type-form while thehalf-tone is embedded in said mold, and the removal of a depositedmetallic shell from the mold with the said halftone adherent to it,substantially as herein described.

3. In the method of obtaining an electrotype including a half-tone oretched or engraved plate and an electrotype of reading matter, thesuccessive acts of embedding a ha1f-tone or etched or engraved plate,face inward, in a mold taken from a type-form and of depositing in saidmold and over the edge and back of said plate, by electrometallurgy, ametallic shell which unites said plate and metallic deposit,substantially as herein described. o 4;. The method of obtaining anelectrotype including a half-tone or etched or engraved plate and auelectrotype of reading matter, which consistsin first, indenting orstippling the back of the half-tone; second, locking up in a form oftype a blank block of the size of the half-tone having the half-toneplaced loosely thereon with its face flush with the types; third,covering the face of the halftone with a film of pitch or similarsubstance; fourth, obtaining in plastic material placed in contact Withsaid form and half-tone a mold from the type in said form; fifth,removing said form from the mold with the half-tone adherent thereto;sixth, blaokleading the face of said'mold but leaving the exposed backof the half-tone free from black-lead; seventh, placing the moldcontaining the embedded half-tone in an electrodepositing-bath wherebyis produced a metallic deposit over the mold and the back of thehalf-tone at the same time, thus insuring a union between the metallicdeposit and the back of the half-tone, substantially as s'et forth.

5. The method of obtaining an electrotype including a half-tone oretched or engraved plate and `an elect'rotype of reading matter, whichconsists in first, iudenting or stippling the back of the half-tone;second, locking up in a form of type a blank block of the size of thehalf-tone having the half-tone placed loosely thereon with its faceflush with the types; third, covering the face of the halftone with afilm of pitch or similar substance; fourth, obtaining in lplasticmaterial placed in contact with said form and half-tone a mold from thetype in said form; fifth, removing said form from the mold with thehalf-tone adherent thereto; sixth, placing a strip of plastic materialaround the edge of the halftone; seventh, blaokle'ading the face of saidmold but leaving the exposed back of the half-tone free from black-lead;eighth, placing the mold containing the embedded halflOO including ahalf-tone or etched or engraved plate and an electrotype of `readingmatter, which consists in first, indenting or stippling the back of thehalftone; second, locking up in a form of type a blank block of the sizeof the half-tone having the half-tone placed loosely thereon with itsface flush with the types; third, covering the face of the half tonewitha tilm of pitch or similar substance; fourth, obtaining in plasticmaterial placed in contact with said form and half-tone a mold from thetype in said form; fifth, removing said form from the mold with thehalf-tone adherent thereto; sixth, placing a strip of plastic materialaround the edge of the halftone; seventh, blackleading the face of saidmold but leaving` the exposed back of the half-tone free fromblack-lead; eighth, placing a non-conducting substance on the back ofsaid half-tone leaving the indentations eX- po'sed around the edgethereof; ninth, placing the mold containing the embedded half-tone in anelectrodepositing-bath whereby is produced a metallic deposit over themold and the back of the half-tone at the saine time, thus insuring aunion between the metallic deposit and the back of the half-tone,substantially as set forth.

7. The method of obtaining an electrotype including a half-tone oretched or engraved plate and an electrotype of reading matter, whichconsists in first, locking up in a form of type a blank bloclgof thesize of the halftonehaving the half-tone placed loosely thereon with itsface ush with the types; second, covering the face of the half-tone witha film of pitch or similar substance; third, obtain ing in plasticmaterial placed in contact with said form and half-tonea mold from thetype in said form; fourth, removing said form from the mold with thehalf-tone adherent thereto; fifth, blackleading the face of said moldbut leaving the exposed back of the half-tone free from black-lead;sixth, placing the moldcontaining the embedded half-tone in anelectrodepositing-bath whereby is produced a metallic deposit over themold and the back of the half-tone at the same time, thus insuringa-union between the metallic deposit and the back of the half-tone,substantially as set forth.

8. The method of obtaining an electrotype including a half-tone oretched or engraved plate and an electrotype of reading matter, whichconsists in iirst, indenting or stippling the back of the half-tone;second, locking up in a form of type a blank block of the size of thehalf-tone having the halftone placed loosely thereon with its face liushwith the types; third, obtaining in plastic material placed' incontactwith said form and halftone a mold from the type in said form; fourth,

removing said form from the mold with the4 half-tone adherent thereto;fifth, blackleading the face of said mold but leaving the eX- posed backof the half-tone free from blacklead; sixth, placing the mold containingthe embedded half-tone in an electrodepositing* bath whereby is produceda metallic deposit over the mold and the back of the half-tone at thesame time, thus insuring a union between !he metallic deposit and theback of the halttone, substantially as set forth.

9. The method of obtaining an electrotype including a half-tone oretched or engraved plate and an electrotype of reading matter, whichconsists in first, locking up in a form of type a blank block of thesize ot' the halftone; having the half-tone placed loosely thereon withits face Hush with the types; second, covering the face of the half-tonewith a film of pitch or similar substance; third, obtaining in plasticmaterial placed in contact with said form and half-tone a mold from thetype in said form; fourth, removing said form from the mold with thehalf-tone adherent thereto; fifth, placing a strip of plastic materialaround the edge of the half-tone; sixth, blackleading the face of saidmold but leaving the exposed back of the half-tone free from black-lead;seventh, placing the mold containing the embedded half-tone in anelectrodepositing-bath whereby is produced a metallic deposit over themold and the back of the half-tone at the same time, thus insuring aunion between the metallic deposit and the back of the half-tone,substantially as set forth.

10. The method of obtaining an electrotype including a half-tone oretched or engraved plate and an electrotype of reading matter, whichconsists in first, indeuting or stippling the back of the half-tone;second, locking up in a form of type a blank block of the size of thehalf-tone having the half-tone placed loosely thereon with its faceflush with the types; third, obtaining in plastic material placed incontact with said form and halftone a mold from the typein said form;fourth, removing said form from the mold with the ICO half-tone adherentthereto; fifth, placing a strip of plastic material around, the edge ofthe half-tone; sixth, blackleading the face of said mold but leavingtheexposed back of the half-tone free from black-lead; seventh, placing themold containing the embedded halftone in an electrodepositing-bathwhereby is produced a metallic deposit over the mold and the back of thehalf-tone at the same time, thus insuring a union between the metallicdeposit and the back of the half-tone, substantially as set forth.

ll. The method of obtaining an electrotype including a half-tone oretched or engraved plate and an electrotype of reading matter, whichconsists in first, indenting or stippling the back of the half-tone;second, locking up in a form of type a blank block of the size of thehalf-tone having the half-tone placed loosely thereon with its faceflush with the types; third, obtaining in plastic material placed incontact with said form and halftone a mold from the type in said form;fourth, removing said form from the mold ZIO With the half '-ftoneadherent thereto; fifth, placing a strip of plasticmaterial around theedge of the half-tone; sixth, blackleading the face of said mold butleaving the exposed back of the half-tone free from black-lead; seventh,placing a nonconducting substance on the back of said half-tonevleavingthe in-y dentations exposed around the edge thereof; eighth, placing themold containing the embedded half-tone in an electrodepositingbathwhereby is produced a metallic deposit over the mold and the back of thehalf-tone at the Sametime, thus insuring a union oettveen themetallicdeposit and the back of the half-tone, substantially as set forth.

"12. vThe method of obtaining an electrotype including a ,half-tone oretchedV or engraved plate and anelectrotype of. reading matter, Whichconsists in -rst, indenting or stippling the back ofthe half-tone;second, llocking up in a form lof'type a blank-blockof the size of the`half-tone having the `half-tone placed loosely thereon' with .its faceflush .withithe types; third, covering the face ofthe halftone With afilm ofv pitch or similar substance; fonrth,obtaining in plasticmaterial placed in contact With .said form and half-tone a mold fromthe'ftype in said form;,.,fth, removing said form from the mold with thehalf-tone adherent thereto; sixth, blackleading the face of said moldbut leaving the exposed back ofthe half-tone free from blacklead;seventh, lplacing anon-conducting substance on the back of saidhalf-tone leaving the indentations exposed around the edge thereof;eighth, placing the mold containing the embedded half-tone in anelectrodepo'siting-bath whereby is produced a metallic deposit over themold and the back ofthe halftone at the same time, thus insuring a unionbetween the metallic deposit and the back of theA half-tone,substantially as set forth` 13. The method of obtaining an electrotype lincluding a half-tone or etched or engraved plate and an electrotype ofreading matter, which consists in first, indenti'ng or stippling theback of the half-tone; second, locking up in a form of typea blank blockof the size of the half-tone having the half-tone placed loosely thereonwith its face ush With the types; third, obtaining in plasticmaterialplaced in contact With said form and halftone avmold from fthe type insaid form; fourth, removing said f orm fro'm'the mold ,with `thehalf-toneadherent thereto; fifth,

blackleading the face of saidvin'old but leaving the exposed back,of'tle half-tonefree from black-leffjtd;` V sixth, placingn anon-conducting substance ongth'e back' of said halftoneleavingtheiudentations exposed around the edgevthereof; seventh, placing the moldcontainingthe embedded half-tone in an electrodepositing -bathWilierebyvis produced a metallic deposit over themoldand'fth'e back of thehalf-tone ayt the Sametime, thus insuring a union between the metallicdeposit and the back of the half-tone, substantially asl set forth.,

i In testimony that I claiml the foregoing asmy invention I have signedmy name, in presence of two Witnesses, this 2d day of November, 189,8.

- WARREN C. OLOUSE.

Witnesses HERMAN A. HEYDT, L. AUSTIN JOHNSON.

